New Year's Day in Botswana

A statutory holiday and its dates

The Public Holidays Act names both New Year’s Day and 2 January as public holidays in Botswana. It says that when a listed holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed; if 2 January falls on a Monday, the following Tuesday is observed. The Act limits public holidays in the mining industry to Christmas Day, Good Friday and Botswana Day.[1]

The Employment Act separately lists New Year’s Day as a paid public holiday. If a paid public holiday falls on an employee’s rest day, the next day that is not a rest day is treated as a paid public holiday. An employee required to work on a paid public holiday must receive at least double wages or a paid day off in lieu, subject to the law’s provisions.[3]

How people mark the turn of the year

In Serowe, a St. Paul Apostolic Faith Mission congregation held a New Year’s Eve crossover service with songs and performances.[4]

A separate report described a New Year’s Eve music festival in Maun, with local and regional performers. Together, these accounts show religious and public entertainment events in particular places; check local information for events and food options.[5]

The holiday in daily life

Government of Botswana ministry pages list regular weekday opening hours as excluding public holidays. Government services are therefore closed during their normal public hours on the holiday, though individual essential services may have different arrangements.[6]

Check opening hours with a particular bank or shop, and transport arrangements with the operator before making plans.[1][2]

Calendar context

January 1 is the fixed New Year’s Day listed by Botswana’s government. The Public Holidays Act also names January 2 and sets its own Sunday and Monday observance rules.[1][2]